Part 1366

3:15. Brethren (I speak after the manner of man), yet a man’s testament, if it be confirmed, no man despiseth nor addeth to it.

3:16. To Abraham were the promises made and to his seed. He saith not: And to his seeds as of many. But as of one: And to thy seed, which is Christ.

3:17. Now this I say: that the testament which was confirmed by God, the law which was made after four hundred and thirty years doth not disannul, to make the promise of no effect.

3:18. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise. But God gave it to Abraham by promise.

3:19. Why then was the law? It was set because of transgressions, until the seed should come to whom he made the promise, being ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

Because of transgressions.... To restrain them from sin, by fear and threats. Ordained by angels.... The law was delivered by angels, speaking in the name and person of God to Moses, who was the mediator, on this occasion, between God and the people.

3:20. Now a mediator is not of one: but God is one.

3:21. Was the law then against the promises of God: God forbid! For if there had been a law given which could give life, verily justice should have been by the law.

3:22. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise, by the faith of Jesus Christ, might be given to them that believe.

Hath concluded all under sin.... that is, hath declared all to be under sin, from which they could not be delivered but by faith in Jesus Christ, the promised seed.

3:23. But before the faith came, we were kept under the law shut up, unto that faith which was to be revealed.

3:24. Wherefore the law was our pedagogue in Christ: that we might be justified by faith.

Pedagogue.... That is, schoolmaster, conductor, or instructor.

3:25. But after the faith is come, we are no longer under a pedagogue.

3:26. For you are all the children of God, by faith in Christ Jesus.

3:27. For as many of you as have been baptized in Christ have put on Christ.

3:28. There is neither Jew nor Greek: there is neither bond nor free: there is neither male nor female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Neither Jew, etc.... That is, no distinction of Jew, etc.

3:29. And if you be Christ’s, then are you the seed of Abraham, heirs according to the promise.

Galatians Chapter 4

Christ has freed us from the servitude of the law. We are the freeborn sons of Abraham.

4:1. Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all,

4:2. But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed by the father.

4:3. So we also, when we were children, were serving under the elements of the world.

Under the elements, etc.... That is, under the first rudiments of religion, in which the carnal Jews were trained up; or under those corporeal creatures, used in their manifold rites, sacrifices, and sacraments.

4:4. But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent his Son, made of a woman, made under the law:

4:5. That he might redeem them who were under the law: that we might receive the adoption of sons.

4:6. And because you are sons, God hath sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying: Abba, Father.